Agave Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia of popular agave varieties with traits, care guides, and pricing.
Featured Agave
Showing 8 of 139 species
© Alvesgaspar / CC BY-SA 3.0Agave Americana
Agave americana
Most widely known agave. Grows huge, often seen in parks and gardens. Also called Century Plant. Variegated forms popular.
Agave Colorata Variegated
Agave colorata f. variegata
Variegated mutation of Colorata. Blue-white leaves with yellow variegation create stunning contrast. Slightly less cold-hardy than normal form. Highly prized by collectors.
Agave parryi var. huachucensis variegated
Agave parryi var. huachucensis f. variegata
The variegated form of Kisshoten (Agave parryi var. huachucensis): the same short, broad grey leaves, stout brown spines and rounded rosette, with variegation that differs from plant to plant.
Agave potatorum 'Ouhi Raijin' variegated
Agave potatorum 'Ouhi Raijin Nishiki'
The collective name for variegated Ouhi Raijin. Plants are sold by pattern and colour, such as white centre-stripe, yellow centre-stripe or cream edge, on the same small, tight rosette.
Agave titanota 'Snaggle Tooth'
Agave titanota 'Snaggle Tooth'
A variegated titanota with a broad, bright ivory edge, introduced by Mountain States Nursery in the US. With less chlorophyll it grows very slowly.
© Тајга / CC BY-SA 4.0Agave univittata 'Quadricolor' (Goshiki Bandai)
Agave univittata 'Quadricolor'
A variegated cultivar with dark green leaves edged yellow and striped pale green down the centre; red teeth and winter flush make four colours. It suckers freely and is fairly cold-hardy for an agave.
Agave victoriae-reginae 'Hyouzan' (White Rhino)
Agave victoriae-reginae 'Hyouzan'
A variegated Queen Victoria agave with broad, pure-white bands along the margins of its deep green leaves. It grows slowly and offsets little, so plants are scarce. Known abroad as 'Albomarginata' or White Rhino.
Agave victoriae-reginae 'Kizan'
Agave victoriae-reginae 'Kizan'
A select variegated Queen Victoria agave with yellow margins on the outer edges of its leaves. Deep green, white-lined leaves edged in yellow; plants with stronger contrast are the most sought after.
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Agave FAQ
- How much do agave cost?
- Small Titanota seedlings cost 2,000-10,000 yen, medium plants 10,000-50,000 yen, and select or rare varieties like Hakugei and Caesar can exceed 100,000 yen. Prices vary greatly by variety and condition.
- Can beginners grow agave?
- Agaves are drought-tolerant and hardy, making them easy for beginners. Place in a sunny spot with well-draining soil, and they're quite hard to fail with.
- What are the key points for growing agave?
- Sunlight, airflow, and drainage are the three essentials. Provide direct sunlight, use pumice or akadama-based soil, and water only when the pot is completely dry.
- What should I check when buying agave?
- Check whether it's rooted, leaves are developing healthily, and lower leaves aren't excessively dried. Imported bare-root plants require root establishment, so beginners should start with rooted domestically grown seedlings.
- How long do agave live?
- Agaves grow over decades and bloom only once in their lifetime before dying. However, they produce offsets, so with proper care you can enjoy them across generations.